Saddle vs Tree Stand for Stationary Hunting

[Tcaltagirone]

Saddles have their place for sure but if your looking for preset/permanent locations then i would stick with hang ons...but if you want the option to go mobile then get a saddle and preset some trees with screw ins and some treehopper platforms

 

[TNTenpoint]

I went to a saddle 3 years ago. I hunt both public and private land. The great thing about it is that there are so many ways to ascend the tree. As for me I am able bodied. But for people that want to be mobile and not carry the bulk of a climber around there are so many options to get up a tree for any experience or comfort level. I have also not been noticed near as much as when I hunted from a stand.

 

[wind gypsy]

This is my first year trying a saddle. I'd prefer a hang on at permanent sets where the tree works well. Saddle is only preferable for me if you have a tree that doesn't work with a hang on, you are hang and hunting, or you are too exposed in a stand.

 

[stetsonoverton]

Tree stand

 

[Mullet]

Guys using saddles, any issues with back pain or discomfort? I can find myself getting back pain pretty quick if I don't have something to lean on. With swinging in a saddle, has anyone had any issues with their back?

Also has anyone used saddles but gone back to their hang-ons for mobile hunting? If so, what reasons?

Thanks.

 

[Atwoodnative]

The small platforms meant for tree saddles would be a lot less weight to haul around when you were doing your initial set up, so that would be a positive. And even though you say they are long term sets, just in case you decided to relocate one or more of them, a lot lighter to haul those little platforms around. The negative is that those little platforms are expensive. Cost more than most hang-ons, but have a lot less metal. Go figure. So would get spendy to have a number of them scattered around. s

As far as being less visible, I actually like to be more visible to other hunters. Had a great spot last year and used the saddle. Went in there to hunt the spot one night, and someone had set up a hang-on real close to the tree I was using. Since there was nothing in "my" tree, they had no idea I was hunting the area. If I instead had a hang-on in "my" tree, most courteous and respectful hunters would have moved on to a different spot. In summary, I lost my spot since there was no evidence I was hunting that spot. So there is an advantage to having other people know you are hunting an area.

 

[toughluck]

I started saddle hunting last year on public and private land. I love the mobility of it. My current public land setup is a phantom saddle, predator platform, and timberninja outdoors carbon fiber sticks. Saddle hunting is a sickness and you'll constantly be tinkering with your setup and drooling over the latest and greatest gear.

That said, no way would I go back to a hang-on or climber. I use pre-set sticks or screw in steps on my private land sets to cut down on setup time and carrying weight.

 

[wind gypsy]

As far as being less visible, I actually like to be more visible to other hunters. Had a great spot last year and used the saddle. Went in there to hunt the spot one night, and someone had set up a hang-on real close to the tree I was using. Since there was nothing in "my" tree, they had no idea I was hunting the area. If I instead had a hang-on in "my" tree, most courteous and respectful hunters would have moved on to a different spot. In summary, I lost my spot since there was no evidence I was hunting that spot. So there is an advantage to having other people know you are hunting an area.

Depends I guess. If on public land I don’t think it’s wrong or bad form to hunt right next to or in a vacant stand. If people just hung one stand for the season it’s one thing but some folks have sets scattered about trying to claim a bunch of area as theirs and because of that, I’m not shying away from anyone’s vacant stand.

 

[Lkiek2020]

I’m switching to a saddle this year because I hunt public and leaving a hang on at most places is not an option. The hang on stands I use are comfortable so I hope I don’t regret this decision.

 

[bac078]

I grew up just climbing a tree that fit where the deer were and standing on a limb. Saddle hunting for the last 15 years and I love it. I find it more comfortable and you can get in trees that lean, have a million branches that climbers can't go up. And it is easier than preplacing a ladder stand or hang on. And much quieter and quicker than a hang on.

 

[Cheaha]

I used a saddle all last season and for the few hunts I have been on this year, but today I am taking my hang-on. I have managed to feel fairly comfortable in the saddle but sometimes I wish I could sit down without pressure on my hips. I'm 53, so I probably have more aches and pains than some. I have not had a problem with back pain in the saddle, which was one of my major concerns. If you want to saddle hunt my best advice is to try out a few different ones and different sizes, but that is difficult to do since most saddles are sold online (at least where I live they aren't sold in stores). At the very least call the manufacturer and get them to advise you on the correct size and style for your body type. In my case, I'm pretty sure I should have ordered a XL but I got a Large. I don't know if it would really make a difference since I don't have a XL to try out.

 

[Cheaha]

Update on my post yesterday: I used my LW Assault instead of taking my saddle. Hanging that larger platform was more difficult than my tiny Tethrd platform, not terrible but after using the saddle platform I am spoiled. Comfort was good once I got settled. However, I noticed my awareness of what was going on behind me, on the other side of the tree, was much diminished compared to in the saddle. When a deer came up behind me at last light I had no idea until I heard it blow and run off. I'm pretty sure I would have at least known it was approaching if I had been in my saddle. Not sure I would have gotten a shot though.

 

[Lone Coyote]

The biggest advantage for saddles is mobility and easy of quiet setup. For permanent stand locations the advantages are fewer, mostly just more shot angles or personal preference.. I personally think my saddle is less comfortable than a stand but they are far easier to carry in and set up quietly and are comfortable enough for several hours. Although, I use a DIY fleece saddle not a $350 commercial one so mine is probably not as nice as those. Comfort may be more if you had a commercial saddle but I can't speak to that.

I feel more comfortable maneuvering for a shot from a saddle than a stand. In a saddle I can move freely and FEEL the ropes holding me securely vs. a stand I feel nervous trying to turn and pivot for a shot because I am subconsciously worried of falling off the edge of the platform and having that "falling feeling" before the harness catches me. You don't have that with a saddle. Not to mention a sudden stop after even just a foot or two drop is going to hurt.

As to the shot angles, I suggest buying a cheaper rock climbing harness, some climbing rope, and some fleece to use as your saddle. Test it out from your hang on's platform and see what you think. Or save more money and skip the climbing rope and just buy some sturdy rope to test it AT GROUND LEVEL... DON'T use anything but climbing rope or amsteel if you are at any height at all. Buy a cheap DIY setup and see if it's worth investing more to you. All said and done, I prefer my saddle.

Spot-on regarding the “falling feeling”! I guess with age or inner ear issues, my balance has started getting less reliable. I like feeling secure and locked in with flexibility. For me personally, a lock on is fine but I have to shoot my bow sitting down because I’m uncomfortable standing. Never had an issue by it’s in my head. Having the saddle will hopefully allow me to feel solid and in control. Thanks for your post. Now I just need to decide the platform to use. Size 16 feet makes me tend to want to go with the bigger base Mission. Thoughts?

 

[sharpekd]

Guys using saddles, any issues with back pain or discomfort? I can find myself getting back pain pretty quick if I don't have something to lean on. With swinging in a saddle, has anyone had any issues with their back?

Also has anyone used saddles but gone back to their hang-ons for mobile hunting? If so, what reasons?

Thanks.

Most people will use a back strap to give them back support and let them lean back in the saddle. You can adjust the length and height to get the right lean for their personal preference. I've seen a lot of people report that they would have really bad back pain from sitting in their hang on stand but found a tree saddle very comfortable because they could adjust it to their exact needs.

You can also go from sitting with your knees against the tree to standing with your legs straight very easily. This can also make a big difference for people with back pain.

 

[Bearwhisky]

Im a big fan of saddles but if you are leaving sets out anyways, I would probably just stick with hang ons.


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[isocyanate]

I used a sit drag saddle last year for a couple (full) days. On public, everything in and out with me every day, Used the wild edge steps and two more at the top to put my feet on. Found that having all my weight on ankles all day wasn’t great and did a lot of fidgeting to combat it.

Also, here there’s a lot of really straight trees, so a climber is no problem. Want to go back to a LW hand climber this year. There’s probably better climbing gear than I used, but throwing two cog belts and my tie off around the tree is just faster and quieter than all the steps. Comfort is a wash for me.

 

[actiongeoff]

I've been hunting out of a saddle the last two years and for me the biggest benefit is I don't need to set up and take down a stand every sit. As has been mentioned, there's a bit of a learning curve to get REALLY comfortable and since you've already got hang on's in the woods that no one is messing with, my advice would be to not fix what's not broken.

 

[sharpekd]

Hello everyone, whitetail season here in the northeast is closing in. I have been doing a lot of research lately on saddle hunting. I currently hunt from hang on tree stands on public land. I also leave these stands in for the whole season. I’m interested in trying a saddle because I have heard they are a lot more comfortable and allow for a wider shooting radius with less movement. I know that saddles are very convenient for mobile hunters who pack their stands and platforms in and out on every hunt. However since I plan to hunt a more stationary approach, does it make sense? My approach with a saddle would be to put platforms on a few different different trees, and hunt them just like I would with a hang ons. Since it is just a small platform up in a tree it would of course help with it being a lot less visible to other hunters and people than a regular hang on. Given these circumstances Would it be better to stick with the hang on approach or switch to a saddle?

Thanks,
BackwoodsBadass

If you have not purchased a saddle setup yet, I would hold off on doing so this season. There are easily over 100 setup combinations when you considered the different types of saddles, platforms, climbing methods, etc. The best and worst thing about saddle hunting is that you can customize it to your preferences and hunting style. It also means there is a steep learning curve when you first get into saddle hunting.

I would use this season to really study your hunting style and preferences to determine if switching to a saddle would be a benefit to you. I would also join saddlehunter.com and read up on the different setup options people are using. There are also a lot of videos on YouTube of people demonstrating their saddle setups. Pay attention to the outdoor expos in your area. Some of the saddle vendors will attend the expos to demo their latest and greatest products. People will also sponsor saddle hunting demos and encourage other saddle hunters to bring their setups to show everyone. And if all else fails, you might be able to convince someone on saddlehunter.com to meet up with you to try out their setup.

 

[WCB]

Do most guys really have a problem shooting around the tree out of a hang on stand? Also I have watched guys demonstrate the "cool" shooting position function of tree saddles. Sorry it takes less movement in a stand and I don't have to be in any contact with the tree potentially making noise.

 

[mbucks27]

Saddle is the way to go if you are constantly moving around to different properties/States. one setup and you can hunt anywhere with very minimal equipment. I have been using mine for about 5 years now and i dont even think about taking my lone wolfs out of the closet anymore. Three full length beast sticks with two step aiders on first and second stick are what i use to get up the tree and then i use the predator xl platform to stand on. It took me a long time but i finally have a really good system down and went though a ton of stuff to get to where i am now.